Q: Clutch pedal sticking

asked by on February 10, 2016

My clutch pedal sticks halfway in traffic or when it is really hot outside.

Clutch is not fully disengaging Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

I have seen this problem before. Since the issue seems to be temperature sensitive, or prevalent during times of heavy use like traffic, it might be the fluid in your clutch master cylinder is getting too hot. The fluid in the clutch master cylinder is actually brake fluid. Brake fluid is hygroscopic or "water absorbing". It pulls moisture from the atmosphere over time. Once there is enough water in the system, the boiling point of the fluid is lowered. If the fluid gets too hot, it loses some of its hydraulic properties causing the pedal to feel spongy. The usual repair for this is simply to change the fluid in the clutch master cylinder by bleeding it. I recommend having a professional help you inspect your clutch pedal and determine what repairs are needed for your vehicle.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

What gauges and readouts can be found in the instrument cluster?
The center of your driver side console is filled with gauges, meters and readouts that provide you with vital information about the car. Understanding the information found here will help keep you safe and secure while on the road, and...
RPMs go up and down
Hello. Your car is equipped with a computer-controlled transmission, so a scanner should be connected, the system checked for codes, and the data analyzed. This vehicle doesn't have a dipstick for the transmission, so a special procedure must be followed...
Car shakes at highway speed.
This could be a wide range of things ranging from an out of balance wheel and tire, a worn wheel bearing (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/wheel-bearings-replacement) or various other suspension parts. Without additional information related to the sound or how frequently it may be...
Multiple warning lights due to electronic control module - 2009 Kia Borrego
As the problem is fairly uncommon, it is likely the engine ecu did experience a processing failure and caused many warning lights to illuminate once the computer lost communication with the other systems. All of the systems where warnings came...
Grinding sound when I reverse and turn the wheel to the right
Hey there, this may be caused by a worn out or failing CV joint (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/axle-cv-shaft-assembly-replacement) or potentially a brake pad (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/brake-pads-replacement) with a rock or some kind of debris stuck in it. As you may know, a CV joint allows...
The wind shield wipers on my 1999 Toyota Camry went out. They worked off and on for a while until they completely stopped working.
Hi there. Sounds like either the wiper motor or wiper motor relay has gone bad. First check to see if a fuse is blown. If the fuse is blown replace it and recheck the system. If not, then check the...
P2118 where to look for the issue
Hello, thank you for writing in. You are throwing a code for the throttle body actuator control motor. More particularly, it means that the computer which monitors the throttle actuator has detected that the motor is working outside of it...
Windshield Wipers and Lights not working.
Hello, thank you for writing in. The wiper's motor circuit may have a short somewhere that is blowing the fuse. Weather can not only cause corrosion but can stress out the wiper motors and cause them damage as well. Both...
I am upgrading the suspension on my 2009 dodge charger sxt do I need to upgrade the rack and pinion as well
Hi Natasha. Thanks for contacting us tonight. Anytime you make an aftermarket adjustment to suspension, you should always make corresponding changes to the steering system as well - as they work together and both impact suspension alignment. It's best to...

Related articles

How Long Does a Clutch Master Cylinder Last?
The The clutch master cylinder is linked to the clutch slave cylinder through a series of hoses. Once you depress the clutch, brake fluid moves from the clutch master cylinder into the slave cylinder. This applies the necessary pressure to...
How Long Does a Fan Clutch Last?
One One of the most important parts within the cooling system of your vehicle is the fan clutch. It’s not a part that comes up often, as it’s usually pretty consistent. However, if this part should stop working the entire...
The Top 5 Selling Cars in Florida in 2012
Florida Florida offers great weather year round, and the fact that snow and ice never factor into the equation means drivers don’t have to focus on the overall vehicle handling as they do in other states. The best selling cars...